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Of insult, and rising above it

Eugene Correia in Toronto

The main issue at the annual convention of the Ahmadiyya community in Canada was about violations of the community's human rights in Pakistan.

Political figures, including Finance Minister Paul Martin, Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan, Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark, Ontario Minister Municipal Affairs Minister Tony Clement, MP Colleen Beaumier and Mayor Lorna Jackson (Vaughan) and Ron Cousins (Markhan), praised the community for remaining united and strong-willed to survive pressure and persecution.

Indian Consul-General Chandra Mohan Bhandari was also present at the convention, attended by more than 10,000 people from across Canada attended the three-day convention at the vast Bai'tul Ismal mosque in Maple, in the region of Vaughan. Community leaders and scholars also talked on issues such as attaining world peace through Islamic teachings, and the role of youth and women in the development and sustenance of the community.

The chief guest for the convention was Pakistan-based Chaudhary Hamidullah, director-general of foreign missions. He provided an overview on the persecution of the community in Pakistan where the Ahmadiyyas are recognized as "non-Muslims."

Vancouver-based scholar Dr Ahmad Jamal, gave the keynote speech on 'Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth in Islam', while Toronto-based scholar Waheed Ahmed gave a talk on Biblical evidence in support of the promised messiah.

Dr Jamal said Islam is tolerant of all other religions but criticized Christianity-based western societies for lacking in spirituality.

Scholar Ata-ul-Wahid, a "white" converted Muslim, delivered a talk titled 'Days of Lot'. He also stressed that both the Bible and the Koran condemn homosexuality.

Nassem Mehdri, president of the Ahmadiyya Association in Canada, spoke of how the community faced religious persecution in Pakistan and how the community feels alienated in their own land. He also blamed the rulers in Pakistan for not adhering to the principles of human rights as well to Islamic teachings.

Later, Dr Aiyaz Qamar, press secretary of the Ahmadiyya association, said the convention was a success and hoped the 25th anniversary convention next year would be an even bigger affair. He said there more than 25,000 Ahmadiyyas in Canada, with at least 10,000 in the Greater Toronto Area.

"The Ahmadiyya community was practically disenfranchised in Pakistan by the late President Zia," he said.

For the women of the community, Dr Qamar said, there was a separate session where the women discussed issues relevant to them.

The association recognizes the services of the youth bodies for their roles in education, sports and other activities and, this year the Vancouver Youth Association won the award.

Finance Minister Martin lauded the work of the Ahmadiyyas in following the teachings of its founder Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad while Immigration Minister Caplan spoke how Canada has welcomed people who are persecuted in their own lands.

PC leader Joe Clark reminded Canada of its obligation and role in eliminating human rights abuses, of the kind the Ahmadiyyas had experienced, in the rest of the world.

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